Tackling sectarianism and forging unity (By Teddy Raja) Sectarian divide poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. Recent events in Rawalpindi have shattered the entire nation, and fingers are being pointed towards lackadaisicalness of administration and failure of the government in averting such happenings. The unfortunate loss of life, destruction of property and damage to economy has created nervousness and sense of insecurity among common masses and different communities. Though army was called and curfew was imposed to help restore calmness in Rawalpindi and Kohat, yet tempers remained charged as different segments whispered about the possibility of retaliatory reaction of ahle- Sunnat-wal-Jama’at and its supporters. Having said that, the involvement of the foreign hand in igniting sectarian divide in Pakistan cannot be ruled out. Surely, the people of Pakistan, LEAs, civil society and religious scholars will play their role to frustrate anti-Pakistan forces using sectarian divide as a tool to destabilize Pakistan. Ulema from the opposing sects should exercise self-control and restraint to ensure peace and tranquility in different parts of the country. As regards Rawalpindi tragic event, both religious sects blame each other. Nine people were killed and about eighty others injured in the sectarian clashes that erupted in the garrison-city when a procession coincided with Friday sermon at a mosque near Fawara Chowk. Angry protesters had attacked the mosque and seminary, torching its building and an adjacent cloth market causing loss to the property that ran in scores of billions. There have been clashes in Multan, Hangu, and deaths were reported in Kohat in a communal clash. Of course, peaceful protests are legal, destroying property and killing people are uncalled for. Those groups or outfits organizing the demonstrations should ensure that there is no damage to life and property of the citizen. In fact, there is no reason for the clashes between the Shia and Sunnis, as both sects have co-existed over the centuries. They were also united in their struggle under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam to carve out a separate homeland for the Muslims - Pakistan. Now, when Pakistan has threats to its internal and external security, people of Pakistan irrespective of the religion, caste, creed or sect must unite to save Pakistan. It is true that contradictions between the two sects date back to 1400 years, but they were confined to polemics and arguments. The present magnitude of sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis was never witnessed before 2003. Of course, there is foreign hand behind such incidents, as hostile countries stir conflicts between various sects to destabilize Pakistan. Tragic incident of attack on Christians soon after the bomb blasts in Quetta and Karachi were reflective of intrigues by international hostile forces especially RAW, who wish to destabilize Pakistan. In 2007, bloody sectarian clashes took place in Parachinar near border with Afghanistan, where 105 people were killed. In 2006, a bomb blast at grand gathering of Sunni Tehrik to celebrate Eid-e-Milad killed its leaders. In 2006, 35 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in District Hangu of KPK in suicide bombings on the Ashura procession and subsequent violence. In such a charged atmosphere, religious scholars with divergent views and religions need to play their role to foster tolerance and educate people about the significance of inter-faith and inter-sect harmony for maintaining peace and tranquility. However, leaders of both sects need to proceed with great caution to prevent the events turning into wider communal conflict. Islam is indeed the religions of peace and harmony, and stands for love and affection, moderation and enlightenment and respect for humanity. But the fraternity’s extremist strands have given a handle to the compulsive detractors of our noble religion to depict it as a creed of violence and bloodletting. Militants and terrorists, who claim as true followers of Islamic teachings in fact negate the Islamic teachings of peace, love, humanity and kindness. It is because of those misguided elements that Islam is one of the most misunderstood religions of the world whose real spirit is being intentionally concealed and distorted. The fact of the matter is that Islam abhors bigotry and dogmatism; it advocates religious liberalism with no parallel in human history; it exhorts love for humanity, and respects the rights of all human beings. Sectarianism should be taken as a serious threat and dealt with strictly. Sectarian vulnerability should not be allowed to create ferocity, unrest and disorder in the country. Government must carry out reforms of religious madaris and ensure that foreign aid to these institutions is provided only through the approval/consent of the government. This will automatically block the way of proxy wars fought by regional countries on Pakistani soil, using people of Pakistan just as the fodder of their proxy wars. If the need be, new laws to crack down on sectarian and other forms of hatred should be in place to fight the menace of sectarianism. This entails application of stringent measures and harsh control over sectarian groups to avoid conflicts and avoid spread of religious hatred. Government should monitor the literature published by different sects and their affiliated madaris, and those found guilty of spreading hate must be brought to books. The government will have to enforce law for all sectarian groups, and force them to keep their cool, calmness and sense of tolerance. Demonstrating inter-sect harmony and mutual respect should become the hallmark of all Pakistani nationals. Forbearance, self-control and tolerance must be preached by all segments of society while media must educate people to adopt the principle of mutual co-existence. People of Pakistan should remember as to how Muslim countries were targeted by the imperialists to achieve their objectives and safeguard their global interests. In the process, countries like Iraq have been completely destroyed. Pakistan cannot afford to become the target of such internal violence initiated on the basis of sectarian divide. The people of Pakistan must be educated by religious scholars, intellectuals and leaders of the public opinion through media that their survival lies in their unity and inter-sect harmony. https://facebook/groups/saleena.roy.56/
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 06:21:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015